The RTA Hires New Chief Financial Officer

(Published: 09-06-2012)

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announced today the hiring of Bea Reyna-Hickey as the agency's Chief Financial Officer who will oversee the Finance and Performance Management Department. Reyna-Hickey will report to Executive Director Joe Costello beginning September 5.

Costello said Reyna-Hickey’s extensive financial management background and her proven track record in achieving efficiencies and optimizing performance are superbly suited to benefit the region’s transit system.

"We are pleased to have Bea join our executive team to lead in further advancing our strategic priorities initiative," said Costello. "She looks forward to working with the RTA Board, staff and her counterparts at the service boards to make financially sound choices benefiting mass transit in northeastern Illinois.”

Prior to joining the transit agency, Reyna-Hickey served the public in a variety of progressively responsible positions for over 27 years. In 2000, she was appointed the City of Chicago's Department of Revenue Director where she managed 500 employees, a $53 million budget and 10 facilities. She administered taxes, accounts receivable, collections, financial reporting, municipal code fines, parking and garage operations. Throughout her career in City government she has distinguished herself by spearheading the use of technological solutions to streamline operations, improve efficiency and enhance customer service. Through the implementation of integrated cashiering, billing, online and kiosk payments, licensing, tax and permitting systems, City revenues increased from $1.6 billion in 1999 to over $2.2 billion in 2010, under her leadership. Through the innovative use of license plate recognition technology, for both parking and red light enforcement, parking ticket revenue increased from $77 million in 1999 to $179 million in 2010, not including red light tickets. Additionally, she was the Director of Administration at the Department of Aviation (DOA) where she was responsible for materials management and in house construction projects for O’Hare Airport, working with all labor unions. She also served as Director of Personnel at the Department of Housing, where she eliminated manual timekeeping systems and implemented electronic timekeeping and forms, in compliance with the City of Chicago requirements to improve accuracy and accountability.

Reyna-Hickey has Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public Service Administration from DePaul University.

Press Contact

With three transit systems and more than two million riders a day, there is always something interesting going on at the RTA. Get the latest scoop on everything all in one place. For all media inquiries, please contact Susan Massel, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, at 312-913-3256 or at communications@rtachicago.org.